Patents Examined by Goergia Epps
  • Patent number: 7106491
    Abstract: A system and method of providing a micromirror pixel 400 that is highly resistant to bright failure states. The micromirror 400 uses an asymmetric yoke 402 to ensure the mirror is only attracted to the address electrode in one rotation direction. The landing mechanism on the other side of the torsion binge axis also is altered to allow the pixel to over rotate in the “off” direction. The over rotation ensures that light reflected by the mirror when in the off direction will miss the projection lens pupil, allowing the corresponding pixel to remain dark in both an operational and failed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas J. Meyer, Brett A. Mangrum, Mark F. Reed, James D. Huffman, Michael A. Mignardi, Wei-Yan Shih
  • Patent number: 7081612
    Abstract: A light projection method and apparatus for an optical mouse is provided. The light projection method and apparatus for an optical mouse comprises: provides a light projection apparatus and projects a light into the light projection apparatus to form a first light beam and a second light beam. The first light beam is vertically projected to a detection area of an image detection surface and the second light beam is slantwise projected to the detection area of the image detection surface. The first light beam allows the image detection unit of the optical mouse to exactly detect the image on the detection area. The second light beam makes the contrast between the concave and the convex of the detection area become more obvious and the ability of the image detection unit of the optical mouse to detect and identify the on the detection surface is effectively enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Pacer Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shu-Feng Lu